How long do bike tires last?

Wear is, of course, the most important factor in determining how long a bike tire lasts and therefore the need to replace it, although, as we'll see below, age is also a factor.

When is a tire considered to be worn?

First of all, it's important to mention that in most cases it's the rear tire that wears out the fastest. Here are the main signs of wear that appear with repeated use:

With mountain biking, trekking and gravel tires, the studs erode over time, resulting in a drop in performance. This is particularly true in terms of grip, traction and braking.

In road use, including city tires, the tread eventually flattens and the underlying plies appear.

If you notice this type of condition, it's time to replace your bike tires.

1 - Riding Style & Technique

In mountain biking or gravel, your riding style can influence tire wear. Particularly if you use micro-locking (if you like to drift the rear wheel to "turn square" instead of "turn round"). This will give you more thrills, but will have a greater impact on rear tire wear.

For road and city use, it's more a question of how you approach downhill sections that your riding style can affect wear. Particularly if you pick up speed on a slope and brake late. Locking the rear wheel in this way increases wear and can reduce tire life if you do it frequently.

2 - Rider Experience

In mountain biking, experienced riders generally ride faster than beginners, but they don't necessarily wear out their tires more quickly. Thanks to their experience, they tend to handle their bikes with more confidence and lock their wheels less often. For the same number of riding hours, beginners generally wear out their tires more quickly because they lock up more often. If you're just starting out, don't worry! With time, you'll learn to tackle courses with more confidence.

3 - Familiarity with the Route

In mountain biking, familiarity with the route is also a factor. If you're familiar with the route, you'll ride with more confidence and will therefore have fewer wheel lock-ups than on a new, unfamiliar circuit. In the latter case, natural caution is called for, with more braking to avoid being caught out, which has an impact on tire wear.

4 - Tire Pressure & Inflation

- On road bikes:

Tire pressure has little impact on wear since road tires have no deep tread.

- On mountain and gravel bikes:

Over-inflated tires wear faster because they have a smaller contact patch. The contact area is reduced and the effort is therefore applied to fewer studs, which will result in quicker wear.

Over-inflation may reduce grip, leading to more skidding and premature wear.

Under-inflating slightly can distribute wear more evenly and improve control.

5 - Terrain Type

Wet vs. Dry Conditions

In mountain biking and gravel, less wear is observed on wet terrain than on dry terrain. Even if there is some slippage, humidity involves less heating up and therefore causes less wear.

Hard vs. Soft Terrain

The hardness of a terrain affects the wear of the tires on a mountain bike or gravel bike. Bear in mind that riding on hard ground (e.g. asphalt) with off-road studded tires will cause faster wear than on soft ground. Make sure you choose tires that are suited to the type of terrain you will be riding on.

Climbing vs. Descending

-Climbing puts more strain on the rear tire, wearing it out faster.

-Descending increases braking stress, which accelerates tire wear.

-Riders in hilly or mountainous areas wear out their tires more quickly due to increased torque and braking forces.

Yes. The added power of electric assistance means e-bike tires experience double the wear compared to non-electric bikes.

Why?

-More power results in more rear tire strain.

-The heavier weight (due to battery and motor) increases braking force, which accelerates front tire wear as well.

E-bike riders should expect to replace their tires more frequently than non-electric cyclists.

Even if you don't use them, or not very often, tires age too, and this is a factor that needs to be taken into account when considering their lifespan.

What causes tire aging?

-Exposure to extreme temperatures or UV rays.

-Storage near electrical sources (e.g., transformers), which can cause rapid sidewall deterioration.

-Rubber hardening and cracking, leading to micro-cuts.

When should you replace tires due to aging?

-Michelin recommends replacing tires every 10 years from the manufacturing date—even if they appear unused.

-After 1 year of use, have your tires inspected by a professional.

Under normal conditions, a tire hardens and cracks over time, which can lead to micro-cuts.

Michelin recommends removing tires from service ten years after their manufacture date. After the first year of use, we suggest having your tires inspected by a professional.